Welcome to St. John the Evangelist, Hondo, Texas, parish website. This website will help to keep you informed on everything that happens at St. Johns. We as a parish community are committed to offer support to our parishioners in their journey as disciples of Christ. Our parish seeks to offer several opportunities to our faithful to learn, nurture and share the gift of faith in Jesus Christ.

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As the Lenten season is upon us, the church invites us to pray, fast, give alms and bring Christ as the center of our lives. A couple who visited me recently said, "until the retreat we attended recently,  we did not have Christ as the center of our family, and now we feel joy, harmony, and peace in our family." Lent is a time to reflect on God's unconditional love. During the holy week, we will reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, who not only brought salvation to humanity but also gave himself in the Eucharist- the real, true, and substantial presence of God among us.  

There is a story told concerning attending Mass regularly. A Church goer complained that going to church every Sunday made no sense. "I've gone for 30 years now", he said, "and in that time, I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But I can NOT remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time, and the priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." After much deliberation, the priest's good friend responded: "I have been married for 30 years now. In that time, my wife and I have prepared & cooked at least 22,000 meals. I cannot recall the entire menu for one of those meals; though I know this, they nourished me and gave my family and me the strength needed to do our work. If we had not shared those meals, we would be physically dead today. Likewise, if we had not gone to church for nourishment, we would be spiritually dead today!"

 

It's a fact that many of our parishioners who were active in the church until Covid hit us have not returned to the church. Let us challenge ourselves during this Lent to attend Mass regularly to experience God's mercy, forgiveness, and love. We begin our Lenten journey with the imposition of Ashes on Feb 22. At John's, we have the following services on Ash Wednesday: Mass at 7 am, Noon,6 pm and communion service at 4pm. During the Lenten season, we have the stations of the cross every Friday at 6 pm, and Bible study entitled “A Biblical Walk through the Mass” for six Wednesdays at 6pm beginning March 1st.

 

Let us nourish our faith and life through this grace-filled season and encourage those around us to join liturgical celebrations at St. Johns to praise and worship our God.

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St. John’s remains grateful to all our parishioners who have been generous in their giving. Your sacrifice and commitment have sustained the work of the church. May I encourage you to continue to support the church through your offerings.  In addition to weekly offerings at Mass, we have convenient online giving available.  You may give online  at  https://www.givecentral.org/pew-card/941

or text the keyword SUNDAY to 830-218-1667.

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I pray that you find love, care, warmth and above all spiritual growth being part of St. John's family. May the Lord bless you and your family.

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Fr Babychan Arackathara msfs

Pastor